20050616Hammond Letter with proposed tariffs.pdf

RECEIVED
2005 May 24 AM 10:57
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSIONBA TT FISHER.
A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
John R. Hammond Jf.e..mail: jrhqybattfjsher .com
May 24, 2005
Jean Jewell
Commission Secretary
Idahp Public Utilities Commission
o. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0074
TGf.A..J w- O~()
Re:Tariff Schedules Nos. 2 & 3 - New Service Connections and Reconnection Fees.
Dear Ms. Jewell:
Attached is Terra Grande Water s proposed, new Tariff Schedules Nos. 2 & 3 for new
service conn~ctions and reconnection fees. Schedule No.2 is submitted because: 1) the
Company does not currently have a schedule detailing charges for new connections; 2) the
Commission Staff has recently informally, decided that without such a Schedule the Company
must install new connections at its own costs pending a rate case; and 3) the Company wishes to
retain control of the method of installation for new water service connections. Terra.Grande is
requesting that Schedule No.2 be effective on the date of the filing of this Tariff Advice. This
because as a small water company with a small customer base Terra Grande cannot afford to
absorb the immediate financial hit it will take if it must perform these services without a means
to recover its costs. Such hits could threaten the financial viability of the utility.
Schedule No.3 for reconnection fees is submitted because the Company does not
currently have. a schedule detailing charges for reconnection fees. The Company s proposed
$65.00 reconnection fee during office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5 p., Mon.
-.
Fri.) is based upon the
time it would take Dave Chester, a licensed plumber, to complete the a reconnection. This cost
includes the time to travel from his workplace to the location for reconnection and the time to
perform the physical task of effectuating the recomiection. A higher reconnection fee for those
reconnections requested by customers who require service reestablished outside of office 'hours is
also contained in Schedule No.3. As a newly regulated utility Terra Grande requests that the
Commission make this Schedule effective immediately due to the fact that it has no means to
recover its costs for reconnections which may occur during the next thirty 30 days.
Notice, of these proposed new charges will b~ provided to all Terra Grande customers
the time of the next billing for service which will occur on or around June 1 2005. The proposed
Notice is attached to this transmittal letter for the Commission s and Staff s review.
T 208.331.1000 . F 208.331.2400 . P.O. Box 1308 Boise, Id 83701 . Suite 500, US Bank Plaza 101 S. Capitol Blvd. Boise, Id 83702
If you have any questions regarding this matter please feel free to contact me at (208)-
331-1000 or by email at irh~battfisher.com Thank you for you assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
JRH/klb
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR TERRA GRANDE WATER
SYSTEM CUSTOMERS CONCERNING PROPOSED NEW
CHARGES FOR NEW CONNECTIONS TO THE SYSTEM
AND RECONNECTION FEES
On May 20, 2005 Terra Grande filed two Tariff Advices with the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission ("IPUC") requesting that the Company be allowed to establish
charges for new connections to the water system and reconnection fees (including
opening the stop valve for a new customer) for customers who voluntarily or
involuntarily are disconnected from the system. Terra Grande is seeking approval of
these Tariff Advices because: 1) the Company does not currently have a schedule
detailing charges for new connections or reconnections; 2) the Commission Staff has
recently informally, told Terra Grande that without such a Schedule the Company must
install new connections at its own costs pending a rate case; and 3) the Company wishes
to retain control of the method of installation for new water service connections and
reconnections.
These proposed new charges for these non-recurring services will not in general
affect the rates which you currently pay for monthly water service taken from Terra
Grande as set out in the Company s Tariff Schedule No.
This proposal to establish charges for new service connections and reconnections
to the system is subject to review and a decision by the IPUC. Copies of the filing are
available at the Company s offices and the office of the IPUC. Please call the Company
at 322-2509 if you wish to view this Notice at the Company s office.
Tariff No.
I.P.C. No.
Schedule No.
Page 3
Name of Utility
TERRA GRANDE WATER (Approval Stamp)
SCHEDULE NO.
New Service Connections:Terra Grande Water is responsible for the completion of new
service connections within its certificated area. No such
connection shall occur other than by the direction and
authorization of Terra Grande Water.
Cost for New Customer Service
Connecti ons:
Upon request from a customer or owner renting property for
residential use ("customer ), for a new service connection to
Terra Grande s system said customer is responsible for paying
Terra Grande Water for the actual cost of completing a
connection for water service to Terra Grande s system These
costs include but are not limited to all costs for engineering,
installation and materials for a new connection, which includes
but is not limited to a line connection to the main, meter base
vault and stop valve.
Issued May 20
Issued by
2005 Effective 2005
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Title J:..-'
Tariff No.Page 4
I.P.C. No.
Schedule No.
Name of Utility
TERRA GRANDE WATER (Approval Stamp)
SCHEDULE NO.
Reconnection Fees (including
opening stop valve for a new
service connection):
$65.00 during office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p., Mon.
Fri.
$100.00 after office hours.
Issued May 20 2005 Effective 2005
Issued by Tir.....~Jdb-
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